In fact, far from being an exaggeration, it would actually be only slightly inaccurate.

That's because Messi has only four world player of the year titles. Jamie Dwyer has five.

Reigning world player of the year Mark Knowles is alongside Dwyer. That would be like Cristiano Ronaldo teaming up with Messi.

Frequent finalist Eddie Ockenden is also here, so add Franck Ribery to the soccer dream team.

And the Kookaburras also happen to be World Cup champions, which would be like making all the soccer players German.

The analogy is starting to get into dangerous territory — a bit like Germany a couple of times in the last century — but you get the idea.

The opportunity presented by the men's international hockey challenge in Hobart this week is an invitation to witness the best in the world at an Olympic sport — akin to Usain Bolt rolling up at St Leonards or Roger Federer resisting the temptation of the mini-golf, laser games and trampolines to grace the Launceston Regional Tennis Centre.

The Tasmanian Hockey Centre tournament, which began last Saturday and continues to Sunday, represents excellent entertainment at an excellent venue.

Such is the quality of the hosts' depth that two other nations ranked in the world's top 10 have not only been slaughtered by the Kookaburras but also seen off by the country's 'A' side, although Tuesday's reunion with Azlan Shah victors New Zealand may not be quite so one-sided.

The tournament boasts not just the cream of Australia and indeed the world's hockey talent, but also that of Tasmania, the state contributing a healthy six players to the 40-strong contingent who national coaches have said are all in with a chance of featuring at next year's Olympics.

While Ockenden, Tim Deavin and Nick Budgeon are established internationals, Jeremy Edwards, Kurt Mackey and Josh Beltz have displayed sufficient evidence to suggest they could follow suit and if Matthew Wells is as sound a judge as he was a defender, Beltz possesses the same dynamism and talent as Ockenden at the same age.

Tasmania's hockey production line appears as efficient as its cycling counterpart, even if the cricket version needs a spot of oiling.

And if history repeats itself, there is a future Australian international retrieving the balls at the tournament because both Ockenden and Beltz said their first taste of top level hockey was as ball boys when the Kookaburras came to play in their home town.

Australia have four fixtures remaining this week. Ground-breaking, eye-catching, jaw-dropping entertainment is guaranteed, and not just from Deavo's pink shoes.